Structure of eyeleted string fastener

ABSTRACT

An eyeleted string fastener includes a button base and a fastener. The button base has a bottom on which a hollow fitting cylinder is formed for riveting and thus attaching to an article, such as clothing, a bag, or a shoe. The fitting cylinder has a top rim that is expanded outward to form a stop ring. The stop ring has an outer circumferential edge from which a circumferential wall extends upward so that the circumferential wall forms therein a receiving compartment to receive the fastener therein. The fastener has a surface having a circumferential rim portion forming a pressing section that is depressible down for coupling to the button base. A hollowed portion is formed inboard and surrounded by the pressing section. The hollowed portion has a side in which a narrowed slot is formed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/959,746 filed on Aug. 6, 2013 and owned by the present applicant.

(a) TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an eyeleted string fastener for use in articles, such as clothing, bags, and shoes, and more particularly to a structure that combines the functions of a button and a string fastener to secure a string with a narrowed slot to thereby achieve the advantages of excellent structural stability, easy installation, and low manufacturing cost.

(b) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Referring to FIG. 11, a conventional string fastener 80 is illustrated. The string fastener 80 is used to fasten a string 91 that extends through an open portion (such as a cuff and a lower hem) of clothing 90 or an opening of a bag at any suitable location. As such, after the size of the string 91 extending around the open portion is properly adjusted, the open portion can be maintained in an expanded or contracted condition.

The string fastener 80 is often structured to include a first component 81 and a second component 82 having a portion received in the first component 81. The first component 81 and the second component 82 comprise string holes that are communicateable with each other and the first component 81 and the second component 82 are structured to be movable with respect to each other by arranging an elastic device therein so that the string 91 is movable to extend through the string holes of the first component 81 and the second component 82, whereby with a pressure applied by the second component 82 caused by the elasticity, after a pressing down force is removed, the elastic force causes the circumferences of the string holes to pinch and thus fasten the string 91 received through the string holes.

Thus, it can be known from the above description that after the string fastener 80 and the string 91 are combined together, since the string fastener 80 is exposed outside clothing, a bag, or a shoe surface and is not properly positioned and fixed on the surface of the article, it is quite possible to inadvertently contact and press the string fastener 80 so as to cause undesired skidding or even vibrating, skewing, and thus loosening resulting from undesired pulling and stretching, thereby leading to poor stability of the entire structure and limiting the functionality and performance of the operation thereof. Further, the string fastener 80 has a certain amount of volume and if mounted to a lower hem of clothing, would causes discomfort of a user when the user is sitting down and unexpectedly contacting the rigid object like string fastener 80.

Further, the structure of the string fastener 80 is composed of the first component 81, the second component 82, and the elastic device arranged therein. A number of components is used, making assembly thereof tedious and difficult and also increasing the manufacturing cost thereof.

Further, a riveted grommet 92 is often mounted to a through hole of the clothing 90 where the string 91 extends in order to protect the circumference of the hole. This further increases the number of the constituent components and thus heightens the manufacturing cost.

Thus, the structure of the conventional string fastener is generally imperfect and the present invention aims to provide a technical solution that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

To cope with such problems, the present applicant has proposed, in Taiwan Patent No. 102212821, a fastener structure that comprises a flat fastener. The fastener has a surface in which at least one hollowed portion is formed. A narrowed slot is formed in at least a corner of the hollowed portion to be in communication with the hollowed portion, whereby the narrowed slot may pinch and thus fasten a string. However, such a structure of string fastener cannot be effectively attached, through riveting, to a piece of fabric, so that a metallic material or a fiber reinforced plastic material must be included for riveting and thus attaching to the fabric in order to achieve secure coupling thereof with the fabric of an article, such as clothing, a bag, or a shoe.

Thus, the present invention aims to provide a structure of an eyeleted string fastener to overcome or alleviate the above-discussed issues and problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a structure of eyeleted string fastener that combines the functions and structures of a riveted grommet and a string fastener, where an arrangement of a narrowed slot is provided for pinching and fastening a string to achieve the advantages of having excellent structural stability, being easy to mount, and having a low manufacturing cost.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an eyeleted string fastener that comprises a button base and a fastener. The button base has a bottom on which a hollow fitting cylinder is formed. The fitting cylinder has a top rim that is expanded outward to form a stop ring. The stop ring has an outer circumferential edge from which a circumferential wall extends upward so as to form forms therein a receiving compartment. The fastener is receivable in the receiving compartment of the button base and has a surface having a circumferential rim portion forming a pressing section that is depressible by and riveted by a top edge of the circumferential wall of the button base to coupled to the button base or alternatively be depressed down by a surface lid to be riveted and fixed. The fastener comprises a hollowed portion formed inboard and surrounded by the pressing section. The hollowed portion has a side in which a narrowed slot is formed in such a way that the narrowed slot is in direct communication with the hollowed portion or is alternatively formed horizontally in a projection block that is located beside the hollowed portion at a side thereof that is opposite to the hollowed portion. As such, the eyeleted string fastener can be mounted to an article, such as clothing, a bag, or a shoe, through the fitting cylinder of the button base with a string extending through the fitting cylinder to be received in the hollowed portion of the fastener and, after adjustment of the length thereof, being forcibly fit into the narrowed slot thereby allowing the string to be securely pinched and fixed by the narrowed slot. As such, the issue of structural instability of the conventional string fastener that is readily skidding, vibrating, skewing, and loosening and the problem of being difficult to assemble and high manufacturing cost can all be overcome.

The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating riveting of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating an example of use of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view, in an enlarged form, showing a circled portion A of FIG. 4 for illustration of an operation of securing a string.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of the second embodiment of the present invention to secure a string.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing conventional structures of a string fastener and riveted grommets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention provides a structure of an eyeleted string fastener, which comprises generally a button base 10 and a fastener 20. In the embodiment illustrated, the button base 10 is made of a thin metal sheet and is formed by stamping the metal sheet in such a way that a hollow fitting cylinder 11 is formed on a bottom of the button base and the fitting cylinder 11 has a top rim that is expanded radially outward to form a stop ring 12. The stop ring 12 has an outer circumferential edge from which a circumferential wall 13 extends upward so that the circumferential wall 13 forms therein a receiving compartment 14.

The fastener 20 is made of a plastic material to show an outer configuration that corresponds to the receiving compartment 14 of the button base 10 and has a surface having a circumferential rim portion forming a pressing section 21 to which pressing may be applied. Formed inboard and circumferentially surrounded by the pressing section 21 is a hollowed portion 22. The hollowed portion 22 has a side in which a narrowed slot 23 is formed and in communication with the hollowed portion 22. To assemble, the fastener 20 is disposed in the receiving compartment 14 of the button base 10 and a top edge of the circumferential wall 13 is directly pressed down onto the pressing section 21 on the circumferential rim portion of the fastener 20 so as to form a riveting flange 15 that rivets and couples the fastener 20 and the button base 10 to each other as a unitary structure.

With the components of the present invention being so described above, the operation and the features of the present invention will be described as follows.

Referring collectively to FIGS. 3-5, the eyeleted string fastener of the present invention is structured to allow the fitting cylinder 11 on the bottom of the button base 10 to be riveted and thus fixed (as shown in FIG. 3) to an open portion of clothing 70. In the instant embodiment, the clothing 70 is a hood-included garment, and the eyeleted string fastener is mounted to a hood connection, a cuff, or a lower hem of the clothing 70 to allow a string 40 that is put to extend through the hood connection, the cuff, or the lower hem of the clothing 70 and then received through the fitting cylinder 11 of the button base 10 and then the hollowed portion 22 of the fastener 20 (as shown in FIG. 4).

The hollowed portion 22 of the fastener 20 has a size that is greater than or substantially equal to a diameter of the string 40 so that the string 40 can be readily received therethrough to allow a user to adjust an exposed length of the string 40. After the adjustment of the length of the string 40, the string 40 can be moved in such a way as to be forcibly fit into the narrowed slot 23, whereby the narrowed slot 23 may securely pinch and thus fasten the string 40 (as shown in FIG. 5). As such, the use of the present invention is simple, easy, and efficient. Oppositely, to release the string 40, the string 40 is moved in a direction toward the hollowed portion 42 so as to get separated from the narrowed slot 23, whereby the pinched and fastened condition of the string 40 can be released, allowing for re-adjustment of the string 40.

Generally speaking, the eyeleted string fastener of the present invention can be mounted to clothing through riveting so that there is no need to use other components. In other words, there is no need to use an additional string fastener as that is conventionally used, but still providing an effect of the conventional string fastener and additionally providing an effect of a conventionally used riveted grommet so as to be capable of taking the place of a grommet, thereby achieving an effect of combining a string fastener and a grommet button together. As such, the issue of structural instability of the conventional string fastener that is readily skidding, vibrating, skewing, and loosening and the problem of being difficult to assemble and high manufacturing cost can all be overcome.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the instant embodiment, a raised projection block 24 is formed beside the hollowed portion 22 of the fastener 20 and a narrowed slot 23 is formed horizontally in a side of the projection block 24 that is opposite to the hollowed portion 22. To use, a user may still be allowed to adjust the length of the string 40 that is exposed outside the hollowed portion 22. After the adjustment of length, the string 40 can be wrapped around the projection block 24 to reach the back side thereof and forcibly fit into the narrowed slot 23. As such, the same effect of easily and efficiently pinching and fastening the string 40 can be achieved.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8-10, a conventional riveted grommet is generally in the form of a circular ring and thus, the button base 10 and the fastener 20 of the first and second embodiments of the present invention illustrated above are also of circular outside configurations. This provides easy control of the extension of the circumferential rim of the button base 10 when it is riveted to the fastener 20 and thus, a smooth and integral riveting flange 15 (as shown in FIG. 2) can be obtained. To enhance the sense of product design, the present invention also provides an outer configuration that is not circular, such as the shape of a water drop as will be described with reference to a third embodiment of the present invention illustrated in these drawings. Since over-bending often results in wrinkling or cracking in a portion of the riveting flange having great variation of curvature so as to damage the integrity of the outside appearance, the instant embodiment is structured to further comprise a surface frame 30 arranged atop the fastener 20. The surface frame 30 is set on and covers the fastener 20 so that a flange of the surface frame 30 engages and presses down the pressing section 21 of the fastener 20 and encloses a lateral side of the fastener 20 and is thus receivable in the receiving compartment 14 of the button base 10 so that the surface frame 30 is located inboard the circumferential wall 13 of the button base 10 and is held in position by being riveted and fixed by the top edge of the circumferential wall 13, where the top edge of the circumferential wall 13 of the button base 10 is riveted and fixed to the circumference of the surface frame 30 with proper curving of riveting. As such, a smooth and integral riveting flange 15 can be obtained to securely couple the fastener 20 to the button base 10.

The fastener 20 of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 8 can be structured in such a way that the fastener 20 is provided, in the same way as that illustrated in FIG. 6, with a raised projection block 24 beside the hollowed portion 22 with a narrowed slot 23 formed horizontally in the side of the projection block 24 opposite to the hollowed portion 22. To use, a user may still be allowed to adjust the length of the string 40 that is exposed outside the hollowed portion 22. After the adjustment of length, the string 40 can be wrapped around the projection block 24 to reach the back side thereof and forcibly fit into the narrowed slot 23. As such, the same effect of easily and efficiently pinching and fastening the string 40 can be achieved.

Further, in other embodiments that are not illustrated in the drawings, the surface frame 30 may be structured to have a side flange thereof corresponding to an outside surface of the circumferential wall 13 of the button base 10 so as to be directly wrapped outside the circumferential wall 13 of the button base 10 in assembly with a bottom edge of the surface frame 30 being riveted to a bottom of the circumferential wall 13. As such, a final product so assembled does not show an easily observable riveting joint, making the outside appearance of the product integral and good looking.

In summary, to achieve the postulated objects discussed above, the present invention provides a structure of an eyeleted string fastener that possesses the functions of both a riveted grommet and a string fastener, where the function mimicking the grommet allows for secure mounting to a hood connection, a cuff, or a lower hem of clothing and a string, after extending through the hood connection, the cuff, or the lower hem of the clothing, is allowed to extend through the fastener to have the string securely pinched and fastened, thereby providing the advantages of having excellent structural stability, easy mounting, and low manufacturing cost.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the claims of the present invention. 

I claim:
 1. An eyeleted string fastener, comprising a button base and a fastener and characterized in that the button base has a bottom on which a hollow fitting cylinder is formed, the fitting cylinder having a top rim that is expanded outward to form a stop ring, the stop ring having an outer circumferential edge from which a circumferential wall extends upward so as to form therein a receiving compartment; and the fastener is receivable in the receiving compartment of the button base and has a surface having a circumferential rim portion forming a pressing section that is depressible down for coupling to the button base, a hollowed portion being formed inboard and surrounded by the pressing section, the hollowed portion having a side in which a narrowed slot is formed so that the narrowed slot is adapted to pinch and fasten a string, wherein the fastener is riveted and thus fixed to the button base by directly pressing down a top edge of the circumferential wall of the button base.
 2. The eyeleted string fastener according to claim 1, wherein the narrowed slot of the fastener is formed in communication with the hollowed portion.
 3. The eyeleted string fastener according to claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a projection block formed beside the hollowed portion and the narrowed slot is formed in a side of the projection block that is opposite to the hollowed portion.
 4. An eyeleted string fastener, comprising a button base, a fastener, and a surface frame and characterized in that the button base has a bottom on which a hollow fitting cylinder is formed, the fitting cylinder having a top rim that is expanded outward to form a stop ring, the stop ring having an outer circumferential edge from which a circumferential wall extends upward so as to form forms therein a receiving compartment; the fastener is receivable in the receiving compartment of the button base and has a surface having a circumferential rim portion forming a pressing section that is depressible down for coupling to the button base, a hollowed portion being formed inboard and surrounded by the pressing section, the hollowed portion having a side in which a narrowed slot is formed so that the narrowed slot is adapted to pinch and fasten a string; and the surface frame is set on and covers the fastener so that a flange of the surface frame engages and presses down the pressing section of the fastener and the surface frame is located inboard the circumferential wall of the button base to be fixed by being riveted and pressed down by a top edge of the circumferential wall.
 5. The eyeleted string fastener according to claim 4, wherein the flange of the surface frame presses down the pressing section of the fastener and the surface frame is located outside the circumferential wall of the button base and is fixed by riveting the flange of the surface frame.
 6. The eyeleted string fastener according to claim 4, wherein the narrowed slot of the fastener is formed in communication with the hollowed portion.
 7. The eyeleted string fastener according to claim 4, wherein the fastener comprises a projection block formed beside the hollowed portion and the narrowed slot is formed in a side of the projection block that is opposite to the hollowed portion. 